The Question of Freedom (Introduction - Democracy as Death) (original) (raw)

Liberation Diaries - Reflections on 20 Years of Democracy in South Africa.pdf

The book Liberation Diaries: Reflections on 20 Years of Democracy by was published by Jacana Media in April 2014. The book has 50 chapters including contributions from prominent scholars like Professors Raymond Parsons, Hebert Vilakazi, Ntongela Masilela and Metz Thaddeus. We also have chapters by social activists like Mugabe Ratshikuni and Wayne Duvenage, journalists like Nozipho Mbanjwa, business women like Khanyisile Kweyama of Anglo American as well as university students like Mhlengi Ngcaweni and Mpho Tshivhase. These writers give different critiques of what it means to live in South Africa @ 20. Many of those who categorize the book as a spin in favor of the ruling party and government are immediately disappointed when they navigate the first chapters of the book. This is a critical reflection of the journey we have traveled as a nation, the victories scored and dreams differed. However, even among the worst critics like Wayne Duvenage of OUTA (opposition to urban tolling), the book’s overall conclusion is that South Africa is a country on the move, making strides towards creating a better life for all. Although the book was meant to contribute to the discourse on 20 years of democracy, it has actually achieved more. Most chapters as well as book reviews have moved beyond a critical reflection of the state of the nation @ 20 to pose the question: given what we know about South Africa @ 20 (both negative and positive), using historical and current trends, where will South Africa be @ 30, 40 and so on. Whilst some of the chapters to speculate about our prospects, others challenge us to think hard about the future we chose and the extent to which it will influence the future we choose. This rhetorical exposition suggests that choices made in 1994 have influenced the outcomes 20 years later. Concomitantly, the choices we make today, like introduction of the National Development Plan, will determine the kind of society South Africa will be in the year 2034. The book was among the best sellers of 2014 and has gone through a reprint. It is available in major bookstores internationally. Timeline and Milestones 1. Publication date: April 2014 2. First launch: Oxford University, United Kingdom 3. Featured in the City Press, April 2014 4. Featured in the Sunday Times Autumn Hot Reads, April 2014 5. Second launch: May 2014 at Wits University 6. Featured on CNBC Africa: May 2014 7. Reviewed on Power FM, June 2014 8. Featured on the Mail and Guardian, June 2014 9. Reviewed by Chai FM (Jewish Radio Station), June 2014 10. Reviewed by the Cape Times, June 2014 11. Reviewed in the Public Sector Manager Magazine, July 2014 12. Reviewed on Ukhozi FM in July 2014 13. Reviewed by the Centurion ANC Youth League Branch, July 2014 14. Launch at North West University by Progress Professionals Forum, August 2014 15. Reviewed on Metro FM in August 2014 16. Featured at Jozi Book Fair in September 2014 17. Reviewed at Poppy’s Café, September 2014 18. Reviewed at The Presidency, December 2014 19. Special Reconciliation Day Feature, SABC, 16 December 2014

Sacrifice After Mandela: Debts of Liberation Among South Africa's First Post-Apartheid Generation

This article examines sacrifice in a post-Mandela South Africa. Twenty years since the fall of apartheid, South Africa remains one of the world’s most unequal societies. From street protests to labor strikes to xenophobic pogroms, dissatisfaction with current socio-economic conditions is being expressed through urban unrest, particularly in townships and shack settlements. This article analyzes an emerging idiom of “sacrifice” among youth activists in response to deaths and injuries sustained during recent street protests. I argue that this idiom draws from understandings of liberation and liberalization, from popular imaginaries of the anti-apartheid struggle, and from processes associated with South Africa’s democratic transition. Broadly, I suggest that sacrifice under liberalism reveals the blurring boundaries between “the gift” and “the market” in political life. [Keywords: Sacrifice, violence, policing, race, class, liberalism]